This course will go through the process of evaluating a neonate in the multidisciplinary clinic of Michigan for brachial plexus. It will include the initial assessment with Neurology, Neurosurgery, Physical Medicine and Occupational therapy to determine which tests need to be done, i.e. EMG, MRI. Then we will show how that information is used to determine if a baby needs surgery or not and which surgery is the most helpful in getting the most use out of the arm. We will follow a real case to highlight this procedure. You must receive 70% or higher on the post-test to claim credits. You will have 3 attempts to pass the post-test.
12/15/2024- In this AANEM podcast, Carrie Ford, a CNCT and R.NCS.T. from the University of Utah's Jack Petajan EMG Lab, interviews Dr. Kyle Mahoney, an associate professor at the University of Utah, who provides a comprehensive explanation of neuromuscular junction transmission and the critical concept of the "safety factor." He breaks down complex neurophysiological concepts using accessible analogies, explaining how the safety factor serves as a built-in buffer that ensures reliable nerve-to-muscle signal transmission. The discussion covers normal neuromuscular junction function, the impact of various pathological conditions such as Lambert-Eaton Myasthenic Syndrome, myasthenia gravis, and ALS on neuromuscular transmission, and the clinical significance of repetitive nerve stimulation testing. Dr. Mahoney's clear explanations make these technically challenging concepts more approachable for healthcare professionals, particularly EMG technicians who may be less familiar with the underlying mechanisms of neuromuscular transmission. 24 min.
4/10/2014- Electromyographic (EMG) reporting of radiculopathies is not standardized, and the terminology used in reports can be misinterpreted by referring physicians. Physicians who refer patients for EMG studies at the Mayo Clinic were surveyed about their understanding of 6 different EMG interpretations of an S1 radiculopathy. Of 45 responders, the terms “acute, active,” “chronic, inactive,” and “old” were interpreted consistently by 95%, 98%, and 84% of responders, respectively. Physicians had the most difficulty understanding the meaning of “chronic” in isolation, “chronic, active,” or “old with uncompensated denervation.” These findings suggest a need to educate referring physicians on the meaning of the terms used in EMG reports and to develop standard guidelines for qualifying radiculopathies. Based on our observations, guidelines for the reporting of radiculopathies have been adopted in the Mayo Clinic Florida EMG laboratory. Muscle Nerve 49: 129–130, 2014